The Illinois Innovation Network A Network of Networks Driving Inclusive Economic Develpmt 10 19 2022
The Illinois Innovation Network: A Network of Networks Working to Drive Inclusive Economic Development
Co-Host: Rural Partners
Wednesday, October 19 at Noon CT
Presenters: Kyle Harfst, Associate Vice President for Economic Development of the University of Illinois System & Executive Director of the Illinois Innovation Network; and Gerald (Jerry) C. Blazey, Vice President for Research and Innovative Partnerships at Northern Illinois University & Chair of the Illinois Innovation Network
The Illinois Innovation Network drives inclusive and integrated research, innovation and economic development across Illinois. With 15 university-community-industry based hubs throughout the state, including one at each public university, the IIN serves as a network of network, connecting organizations and individuals to grow prosperity. Our presentation will give an overview of the IIN and its hubs, and share a few areas we are looking to partner with local governments across the state.
Speakers:
Gerald C. “Jerry” Blazey is Northern Illinois University’s Vice President for Research and Innovation Partnerships and chair of the Illinois Innovation Network Council. Blazey has served in his current role at NIU since 2015, following a stint from 2011-14 as senior policy advisor at the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the U.S. President. In that position, he was involved with the development of President Obama’s budgets for the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Blazey previously worked in the DOE Office of Science, where he was program manager for the International Linear Collider Program. A scientist specializing in high energy particle physics, Blazey joined the NIU faculty 1996. He helped establish and served as co-director of the Northern Illinois Center for Accelerator and Detector Development, eventually spearheading the establishment of a university group in accelerator science and technology that is one of the largest and most diverse in the country. Blazey recently announced that he will retire on June 30, 2023.
Kyle Harfst is an associate vice president of economic development and innovation at the University of Illinois System and serves as executive director of the Illinois Innovation Network. He works closely with key members of the Offices of Technology Management at the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign campuses and Illinois Ventures. He also tracks research, education and economic development activities, and serves as the office’s chief of staff. As IIN executive director, Harfst is responsible for managing and growing the network, including developing and managing working groups and programs. Prior to joining the U of I System, Harfst served as executive director of the Office of Innovation and Economic Development at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. During that time, he also served as executive director of SIU Research Park.
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